You wouldn't immediately recognize the funny guy Craig Cussins as a world-class bonsai master. The simple-minded Scotsman with a wide smile travels the planet and amuses bonsai fans with his signature jokes. Craig's most famous phrase is: "Bonsai is always a pleasure for the heart and a pain for the pocket." Despite all this, the humorous Scotsman is perhaps the most respected bonsai artist in Europe and an example for a whole generation of gardeners.
"I love people with a good sense of humor, sunny weather, cold chardonnay, sushi andChinese Gardens", says Cassins, when asked to introduce himself. Then he quickly adds, “And of course, bonsai,suisekiand his wife."
First steps
When Craig noticed a bizarre tree in a flower shop window in 1972, he couldn’t even imagine that he would soon devote all his free time to creating them. When he came home, the young man began asking his family and neighbors about the oddity. But the art of bonsai was just gaining popularity in Europe, so in a small Scottish town few people had heard of it.
The next day, Cassins went to that very store specifically to satisfy his curiosity. A year after that visit, Craig planted his first tree. According to one source –larch, according to another version it wasmaple.Sapling (yamadori)AndcapacityThe guy got hold of the planting trees himself – he was really put off by the sky-high price of ready-made bonsai.
Friendship with John Naka
As time went on, bonsai turned from an interior item into a beloved “pet”.Taking care of him, Craig gradually discovered the philosophical implications of this art. Watering andpruningfrom a daily routine turned into a kind of meditation, an act of harmony between man and nature. Cassins raised his "firstborn" for 20 years. During this period, a lot happened.
The enthusiast sought to absorb as much knowledge as possible, for which he actively visited exhibitions of Japanese art and joined thematic clubs. Craig chose none other thanJonah Yoshio Naku– the best bonsai master of that time. Several times a year he made the long journey to Los Angeles to exchange experiences with his beloved teacher. Professional relations quickly turned into friendly ones. Master Naka, in turn, even visited his overseas friend in Scotland.
Teaching career
Craig Cussins' development as a bonsai artist was influenced by another famous master, Peter Adams. Adams' workshop was located 1,500 km from Craig's home, but Craig traveled this distance every month for lessons. Peter also introduced Craig to the basics of creatingsuisekov- traditional Japanese stone compositions.
In 1978, Cassins realized his long-time dream – he created the Scottish Bonsai Association. Teaching newcomers captivated our hero so much that it did not go unnoticed from above. Just 5 years later, Craig became a member of the committee of the British Federation of Bonsai Societies.
And there's more. The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society awards Craig Cussins the Patrick Neel Medal "For outstanding services to Scottish horticulture." Craig's bonsai and suiseki subsequently won several prestigious awards.
In 1978, the master stopped being a member of all bonsai clubs and began active literary work. By 2014, Craig had accumulated 5 published books, 2 blogs and thousands of articles in reputable magazines. The Scotsman also has a miracle garden, where all his pets “live”. The garden has 3 different zones and Craig himself is sure that there is too much bonsai there. However, few people can personally verify this, since the master protects it from prying eyes. The exhibition is only available online on Cassins’ personal website.
AsyamadoriCraig prefers Scottish plants, but often chooses pines, maples, junipers, yews and elms. It is not so easy to find the master at home - he regularly speaks at conferences in Canada, America, Italy, France, New Zealand, Russia and South Africa. In each country, Craig Cussins studies in depth the features of growing bonsai, and upon returning home, he takes on the creation of a dwarf tree in the spirit of the studied canons.
